How Long is Viral Meningitis Contagious

A person infected with viral meningitis usually stops being contagious after 10 days. An elaborate explanation on the contagiousness and transmission of viral meningitis has been presented in the article below, followed by a few other aspects of the condition.

Viral meningitis is known to spread due to exposure to feces or respiratory secretions. Symptoms of viral meningitis resemble those of any regular viral flu, making it a little hard to detect. Viral meningitis occurs all over the world. In spite of being rare, viral meningitis is mild and completely curable. Mostly, the viral infection clears up without causing meningitis. In other words, even if a person develops viral meningitis, the disease clears up on its own.

Viral Meningitis Transmission Facts

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As the causes behind viral meningitis are many, the spread of the infection depends on the type of virus involved. Among them, enterovirus being the commonest cause spreads through fecal contamination or else through respiratory secretions like saliva, sputum, mucus, etc. Mumps and varicella zoster viruses spread through contact via infected saliva or sputum.

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If you come in contact with an infected person, the virus will make an entry into your body but there is less chance that you'll develop the infection. At the same time, you might get infected with the virus, but the possibility of developing viral meningitis is minimal. Other viruses spread through mosquitoes, but the occurrence of infection is a rarity. The incubation period of the virus (enterovirus) lasts from three to seven days. Beginning three days (until 10 days) after a person gets infected, the virus can be spread to another person. This infection is self-limiting in nature due to which, the

virus remains no longer contagious beyond a period of 10 days

. Children with mumps and herpes virus are more prone to contracting the virus and the disease. People above the age of 40 are said to be immune to viral meningitis.

Causal Factors

Mumps

Enterovirus

Herpes simplex virus (type 1 or 2)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Varicella zoster (causing chickenpox)

Epstein-Barr virus

Cytomegalovirus

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Poliovirus

Coxsackie A virus

St. Louis Encephalitis virus

Arboviruses (through mosquitoes)

Symptoms

In Adults

:

High fever and headache

Neck Stiffness

Lack of appetite

Sleepiness

Light sensitivity

In Infants

:

High Fever

Irritable feeling

Loss of appetite

Difficulty waking up

Rashes (rare)

Other Symptoms

:

Physical discomfort

Joint ache

Drowsiness

Confused state of mind

Occurrence of Symptoms

On exposure to the virus, the symptoms can be seen in the period of 3-7 days. The symptoms last for about 10 days, after which chances of passing on the infection become less, as the infected person is in the self-recovery stage or must have recovered totally. Children are affected by a great deal with this viral infection. The cases of infection are on the high during summer and early autumn.

Preventive Measures to be Taken

Washing your hands regularly and having hygienic toilet etiquette can protect you from this virus to a major extent.

Being a mosquito-borne disease, staying away from mosquito bites can also work wonders to avoid this disease.

Ensure children are vaccinated, as they are prone to the viral infection easily.

Exercise control over mice/rodent infestation.

Avoid sharing utensils and other such items with an infected person (same applies if you are infected).

Meningitis is a disease that causes brain damage that may lead to death, making it one of the most dangerous diseases in the world. However, care and precaution can help to not only save yourself from the disease, but also save others around you. Prevention is better than cure and the right prevention can cure the world of this disease.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.

My husband was diagnosed with viral meningitis yesterday, and he is 59. Immune over 40 huh?!? No headache.. but neck pain that is horrible. After an ER visit and a spinal tap and CT scan of the brain, he's hone and on Percocet until this pain subsides. Very scary. - Ginger [January 15, 2017]

Nice to have the clear and concise explanation. San Marino H.S. in Calif. just sent out an email blast about an outbreak on their campus, but their blurb was insufficient in explaining, so I did a Bing search and found your page. When schools send out incomplete info. like that, it might cause anxiety/panic, unless they are more succinct in describing the facts about it. They need to add a link on their email blast to a page like yours. - Tim Mellin [May 23, 2014]

I'm 46 and just got Viral Meningitis...so much for people over 40 being immune. - MK [March 26, 2013]

Thank you for a clear and concise answer. - kathie [July 3, 2011]

Good information. - Mary T Olson [September 19, 2010]

I just found out my cousin has spinal meningitis, and she has been sick the last year, before they found out what is wrong? I'm a bit nervous to hear the prognosis may be. HELP, all the information is confusing. - Raeshel [March 8, 2010]